Please note that this is updated from a few months ago and a new request for help…all donations currently reflected are historical.

Hi! My name is Farrah and I'm a former Philadelphia high-school teacher and stage IV cancer survivor. Over the past two years, I’ve had excessive absences due to various illnesses. I’ve lost considerable income and the threat of eviction has become all too real more than once. I currently suffer from chronic kidney disease stage 4, chronic pneumonia, chronic pulmonary embolism, asthma, anemia, sleep apnea, insomnia, coronary artery disease, depression and anxiety- some of which are the residual effects of almost two years of intense chemotherapy treatment and multiple surgeries.

Due to the absences during the last school year, my summer reserve pay has amounted to approximately $200 per month. I am three months behind on my rent and facing eviction again, have multiple shut off notices from gas and electric, struggle to keep my phone turned on and to afford vital prescription medicines, doctor copays, transportation to appointments, basic groceries and toiletries. In July, I was admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery for three hernias and bowel obstruction. After a five day stay and one day home, I was readmitted for lung issues and acute hypoxia and placed on oxygen. I was there for another week. I’ve been struggling with food insecurity and starvation and lost 24 lbs in two weeks. This malnutrition led to acute kidney injury and failure and I was rehospitalized last week and discharged yesterday. Due to the accumulation of health issues that have severely impacted my ability to breathe and be as mobile as I used to and other drastic declines, my doctor has recommended I resign immediately and reapply for Social Security Disability. Regrettably, I did both earlier this week. I immediately lost my health insurance at a time when I need it most. I need to find health coverage immediately but the costs are exorbitant. Additionally, my car was totaled in May.

The disability application and approval process is long ranging anywhere from 6 months to several years with many denials. I exhausted my FMLA leave during the last academic year for similar reasons so a leave wasn’t an option. Neither is unemployment compensation and I have no savings.

Because of all this, I once again, desperately need your help to survive and make it through this very difficult time. Your support is critical to my ongoing survival and ability to stay well, thrive and avoid imminent homelessness. I wouldn't ask for this help if my situation was not incredibly dire and if I could feasibly entertain other alternatives. This is a months not days long journey. The road back to health has been a treacherous one. Please help me get back on my feet again literally and figuratively as I try to raise this rent (currently owe $3,200), pay for health insurance and medical care from multiple specialists, accompanying utilities payments to avoid shut-off, groceries, toiletries and basic necessities.

This experience has humbled me in ways one cannot imagine. Please help me gain back some dignity as I feel ashamed and dismayed at where I am at this current stage of my life. No amount is too small and I appreciate everything including resource referrals, in kind donations, prayers, good wishes and any good energy you can throw my way. I am very grateful and will be eternally indebted to you for your care, concern and generosity. I know many of us are struggling. Thanks and bless you.